Product Description

Bestselling author Jean Strauss's memoir about her quest to unearth her past is an incredibly funny and touching journey that redefines the meaning of family and celebrates the universal connections that link us all.

Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #465832 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Review
I meant to read just a few pages but could not put this down. It touched me to the core... -- Peggy Jackson

Not only is this an incredibly moving human story, it's as exciting as any detective story... -- Annette Baran, author of "The Adoption Triangle"

This is a very funny, very moving, very insightful book... -- Jameson Parker, actor and author

About the Author
Jean Strauss was born in California in 1955. A graduate of both UC Berkeley and USC, her previous works have included "Birthright: A Guide to Search and Reunion" (Penguin, 1994), "Forever Liesl: a Memoir of The Sound of Music" (with Charmian Carr, Viking, 2000, New York Times and L.A. Times bestseller), and "Letters to Liesl" (with Charmian Carr, Arete-USA Publishing, 2001).

She makes her home in California with her two sons and her husband Jon, a college president.

Customer Reviews

Uplifting family mystery that I couldn't put down
Jean Strauss has succeeded in writing the first memoir I have ever read that I really didn't want to put down. In the end I had to hand my new baby to my husband, and take myself away from all distractions, because I was completely hooked.

Jean Strauss begins by telling the story of her childhood with her adoptive parents, who she loved dearly, and her difficult relationship with her troubled adoptive brother. She goes on to write with disarming honesty about her search for, and ultimate reunion with, her birth mother, her birth mother's birth mother, her seven siblings and, briefly, her birth father. By the end of the book the fifth grader, who knew nothing about her biological roots, has discovered she's a Mayflower descendent, who's ancestors go back to Charlemagne.

After we've laughed and cried as this brave, appealing, intense, funny woman takes us with her on her journey, we realize that know a lot more about the true meaning of our own 'families' that when we started reading.

"Beneath a Tall Tree" is a true gift. A startling, funny, heart-wrenching family mystery that will move you long after you have finished the last page.

Five oars for Jean Strauss
If "beneath a tall tree" doesn't tug at your heart and bring tears to your eyes, go see your doctor for a checkup. Strauss bares her soul in this fascinating adventure about her life. Besides being enormously helpful to adoptees, it provides a deep, raw look into the mindset of an adoptee. Her fluid style makes this an easy read.

Great for adoptees looking to find out more
I am an adoptee and I'm currently in a stage of my life where I'm becoming more curious to find out about my birthmother and my background. I was kind of scared and didn't really know where to start, but this book really helped me to realize that I CAN do something about it and that it's really nothing to be scared of. It gave me the perspective of the birthmother as well, wanting to know about the daughter she gave up. I have a feeling that when the time comes to contact my birthmother, she'll be more receptive than not - something I was very unsure of before I read this book. Jean Strauss and her book have kind of helped me to get the ball rolling and start seriously thinking about contacting my birthmother.